Jaekob Visits the Sylvan Elves

   The Druid moved quickly down the plank that connected ship and land and turned to wave a hand through the air, "Thank you, my friend," he said over the breaking waves that slapped onto shore.

Jaekob Lands in Mirkwood

"Remember, wait only three days and if I am not returned, sail home with the note I gave you hmmm?" And he turned and began his trek into the forests of Mirkwood, working his way to the northernmost end and the home of the Sylvan Elves.
   He inched his way slowly, looking for a path, but finding nothing of note. He pushed his way through, using his hands to push and pull limbs out of his path. Already his shirt was torn in a place or two and his breeches ripped at the knee where he had taken a fall amongst growth too thick to see the pit in the ground. He swiped at the small bit of blood and growled to himself, wondering if these giant spiders he had heard tell of gave notice to such things as blood.

Jaekob in the Forest

   "Where is my staff," he grumbles to himself, beating at the growth with a hand and finally finding a sturdy enough length of a branch and he tests his weight on it. "This will do quite nicely. Now let's find the elves and secure permission to hunt in their lands," he says as if he has a companion. But, truth be told he often talked when he appeared alone. Did not the rocks and the trees like a bit of conversation? he chuckled good naturedly to himself and trekked onward.
   And finally the massive stone bridge that led into Mirkwood lay just before him. He slapped his hands at his breeches, realizing he must look quite out of place. As he neared the entrance guards, they stepped forward, their stance changing from one of guards to that of protectors.
   "Vedui, my cousins," he said softly holding his hands out palm upward. "I am Jaekob, Aran Taur'amandil of the River Lands and come on a quest to find something of mine that is lost and, hopefully, easily found. I ask this parchment be delivered onto your Aran stating my case. That and nothing more, cousins."
   "Their faces were impassive, so very.. Sylvan," he thought to himself as one of the guards stepped forward and with a curt nod took the note and moved inside the large doors. The guard said nothing, nothing at all. And the Druid stood their quietly, patiently, waiting for permission to search for his friend.

Jaekob at the Entrance to the Home of the Sylan Elves